Stamp dispenser



March 1960 B. c. SWARTZ ,930,610

STAMP DISPENSER Filed Dec. 28. 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VE/Y TOR. Bf/YJHM/IY C 5 W41? 72 A TTORNEX March 29, 1960 B. c. SWARTZ 2,930,610

STAMP DISPENSER Filed Dec. 2 8, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 izg. .3

IN l/EN TOR.

A TTOIPNEK March 29, 1960 B. c. swARTz STAMP DISPENSER I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 28, 1956 /N VEN 70R. BENJAMIN C. 5 W497 Z 147'T0RNE.

2,930,610 STAMP DISPENSER Benjamin C. Swartz, Des Moines, Iowa Application December 28, 1956, Serial No. 631,295

3 Claims. (Cl. 271-25) My invention relates to stamp dispensing apparatus and more particularly to an economical, manually operated device for accurately dispensing premium stamps.

The distribution of stamps by merchandise outlets such as supermarkets, drug stores, varieties, department stores and the like, which are redeemable in premium items of every kind and description according to specified stamp values is currently an exceedingly widespread practice. In most instances one stamp is given for each ten cents of purchase and as presently observed, the number of stamps to which a purchaser is entitled must be counted and severed from a roll or sheet by the sales clerk or by the check-out clerk as in a supermarket. This is not only time consuming but lends itself to considerable inaccuracy. Certain automatic stamp dispensing machines have been previously designed but they are extremely costly and thus greatly increase the expense already involved in the cost of the premium stamp advertising program.

It is therefore one of the important objects of this invention to provide a stamp dispensing device designed to hold a substantial supply of stamps and including means to assure accuracy for dispensing the stamps.

Another object contemplated herein is the provision of a simple and manually operated stamp dispenser that is economical to manufacture, durable in construction and exceedingly efficient for its intended use.

A further object inhering herein is the provision of a stamp dispenser of the above class that is designed to be conveniently mounted on or near a cash register.

Other objects and advantages of this invention reside in the details of construction and correlation of the various parts and will be apparent as the description proceeds.

This invention consists of novel parts and combination of parts to be hereinafter described whereby the objects set forth are attained, as pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of this stamp dispenser taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1, with the broken lines showing the open or raised position of the cover,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top view of this invention with the cover removed,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged bottom view with the case cut away to more fully illustrate the construction thereof,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of this invention,

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. l,' and Figs. 7 and 8 are reduced diagrammatic views showing suggested ways of mounting this device on a cash register.

Referring to the drawings a suitable case indicated generally at 10 includes a bottom 12, sides 14 and 16 and top 18. In cross section the top edge of sides 14 and 16 are on an inclined plane from its highest plane at the rear 20 to its lowest plane at the front end 22 (Figs. 1 and 2) so that the top 18 slopes from the rear 20 downwardly to the front 22 to provide an overall shape for case 10 not dissimilar to that of some calculating and adding machines. Top 18 includes the integral curved portion 24 which defines the rear extremity of case 10 and which is hingedly secured as at 26 to the rearward end of the bottom 12. In this way, the top 18 can be elevated as shown by the broken lines in Fig. 2. A pair of spaced parallel elongated slots 28 and 30 are formed in top 18 and extend for the major distance between the front 22 and rear 20 of the case 10. A set of calibrations 32 and 34 respectively for the slots 28 and 30 is placed adjacent and longitudinally of each such slot, and as shown are in the form of numerals 1-10 inclusive arranged in chronological sequence from front to rear. Like numerals for each slot are in corresponding positions. The plate shown at 36 is merely a name or trademark plate and is, of course, optional.

On the underside of top 18 (Fig. 4) two like track assemblies 38 and 40 are associated with the respective slots 28 and 30. Since these assemblies are of the same construction and operation only one will be described in detail and like numerals will be given to like parts. Track assembly 38 is shown in section in Fig. 6 and comprises the horizontal track surfaces 42 and 44 which are on the same plane and extend in opposite directions perpendicular to slots 28 and 30 and which are integrally joined to an elevated center section 46. Section 46 is provided with a longitudinal slot 48 which registers with the respective slots 28 and 30 when section 46 is attached in any suitable manner to the underside of top 18 as shown in Fig. 6. Thus arranged, track surfaces 42 and 44 are spaced slightly from the underside of top 18. On the track surfaces 42 and 44 there is formed a pinrality of transverse spaced notches or grooves 50 positioned so that each such groove will register with one of the numerals in calibrations 32 and 34.

A means for engaging and moving stamps as will later appear is mounted on track assemblies 38 and 40 as follows. A slide assembly 52 (Fig. 6) comprises a bar 54 which has each end turned upwardly and backwardly to form the channel portions 56 and 58 that embrace the respective track surfaces 42 and 44 as shown so that the slide is frictionally slidably engaged therewith. A stem 60 secured to bar 54 projects upwardly through the slot 48 in the track assembly and through the respective slots 28 and 30 in top 18 and on the outer side of top 18 carries an operating knob or handle 62 which is pointed at one end 63 (Fig. 1) to cooperate with the calibrations 32 and 34. Secured to a bracket 64 which depends from bar 54 is a transversely arranged brush holder 66 containing a plurality of bristles 68 of any suitable material and it will be noted that holder 66 is mounted so that with top 18 closed as indicatedin the solid lines of Fig. 2, the bristles 68 extend downwardly and forwardly relative to top 18 at approximately a 45 angle.

Slide assembly 52 carries a spring clip member 70 which is slidable therewith in frictional contact with the track surfaces 42 and 4-4 so as to register with the grooves 50. This provides a recognizable click and assures accuracy in registering knob 62' with calibrations 32 and 34. The bottom portion of case 16 (Fig. 3) is designed to hold a supply of stamps and for this purpose I provide a large roll 72 having preferably ten stamps in width and a smaller roll 74 having but a single strip. Stamps in this form are commercially available and it will be understood that such rolls are formed with perforations so that the stamps may be detached either singly or in strips of ten as in the large roll 72;. In the rear or enlarged area of case 10 there is mounted a pair of spaced upstanding arms 76 and 78 integrally formed with a connecting brace 80 at the bottom, and a notch or socket 82 is provided in the upper end of each arm. Arms 76 and 78 are spaced to rotatably receive bosses 84 projecting from respective opposite ends of a suitable roller 86 (Fig. 2) on which the stamps of the large roll 72'a re rolled. A second pair of stamp roller supporting arms for the smaller roll 74 is also mounted within case 10 in endwise alignment to the first pair and like parts are given like numerals primed as described above. Stamp rolls 72 and 74 are mounted to rotate counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 2 and the stamps will lie upon and be movable over a platform 88 extending between sides 14 and 16 and disposed to be parallel to top 18 when closed. Guide strips 90 and 92 for roll 72 and like strips 94 and 96 for roll 74 are placed on platform 88 as shown in Fig. 3. Thus arranged, it will be appreciated that stamps in the two rolls 72 and 74 can be passed easily over platform 88 out beyond the front 22 of case 10. Withtop 18 closed, track assembly 40 will be substantially in the middle of the, stamps in roll 72 as they lie on platform 88 and track 38 will register with the single strip of stamps in roll 74. The closing of top 18 also locks the stamp rollers against accidental displacement from the respective supporting arms and this is accomplished by a plurality of notched arms 98 (Fig. 2) depending from the underside of top 18 at the rear. Two such arms 98 are provided for each roller and are spaced so that each notched portion engages one of the respective bosses 84 and 84 as shown in the solid lines of Fig. -2. The forward end of top 18 carries preferably a tear-01f plate 100 which is spaced from platform 88 sufiiciently to allow the movement of stamps therebetween but it will be understood that any suitable "means forsevering the stamps can be used such as a knife of the guillotine type or the-like. At the upper end of platform 88 a pair of bearing members 102 and 104 are oppositely disposed on the respective sides 14 and 16- and are provided with bayonet slots 1% .(Fig. 2) to receive a removable hold down roller 188. Spaced below roller 108 and parallel thereto is a second roller 109 rotatably affixed to bearings 102 and-104 so that stamps 72 (Fig. 2) are fed between these rollersbefore reaching platform 88. Thus, when the roll is large, roller 108 holds the feed strip down and as the roll becomes depleted, roller 109 holds it up as shown. Stamps on the smaller roll 74 are fed in a like manner.

Thus constructed and arranged, this dispenser will operate in the following manner. Stamps. inv rolls 72 and 74 are positioned on platform 88 so that the leading strip ofstamps in roll 72 and the first stamp in roll 74 is aligned with the front end 22 of case 10. .With top 18 closed, the stamps are removed by first moving knob or knobs 62 to the selected position and then returning the knobs to their original position. For example, if a sale is $4.80, forty eight stamps are to be given at the rate of one stamp for each ten cent purchase. Knob 62 on roll 72 is moved to ca1ibration4 and then returned to its starting position atthe front end of the case 10. Since the width of the calibrationsand the width of perforations between stamps lengthwise of the rolls are the same, brushes 68 will engage such perforations and move four rows of stamps out from case 10 as knob 62 is returned. The stamps can then be manually severed by tearing against plate 100. Since roll -72 is ten stamps wide, this provides forty stamps in one quick operation, and to get the other eight stamps, the operation described is repeated on roll 74 with knob 62 being first moved to calibration 8 and then returned to its starting position. It will thus beappreciated that any desired number of stamps can be quickly and accurately'obtained. While the size of case 10 is immaterial, I have preferably made it extremely compact yet capable of holding a supply of approximately fifty thousand stamps.

The modification of this dispenser shown in Fig.- has eliminated the track and slide assemblies previously described and the Wider slots 110 and 112 are substituted in top 18 in place of the respective slots 28 and 30 shown in Fig. 1. In all other respects the devices are the same and the stamps are removed by an operator placing a. finger in slots 110 or 112 at the desired calibration to engage the stamps and moving his finger in contact with the stamps to the front end of such slot.

While this dispenser is convenient to carry and place at any available place, it is suggested that a support bracket 114 may be provided to mount it on a cash register 116 in either a vertical or horizontal position as shown in the respective Figs. 7 and 8. Rubber feet or tips 118 may also be placed on bottom 12 for obvious reasons. i

It is submitted that the invention shown and described is aptly suited to achieve the purposes intended and is characterized by a combination of highly useful and mutually cooperating elements that combine their respective and proportionate functions in accomplishing the objects sought to be obtained.

It will be understood that the phraseology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not for limitation and that modifications and changes in the construction and arrangement of this invention can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit and purpose thereof. It is thus intended to cover by the claims, any modified forms of structure or mechanical equivalents which may be reason ably included within their scope.

I-claim: p

1. A stamp dispensing apparatus, comprising, a case having a front and rear end, a top hingedly attached thereto, a platform in said case, support brackets mounted in the rear portion of said case, a roll of stamps rotatably removably mounted on said support brackets, saidstamps movable oversaid platform so they can be passed out of said case at the front, said top provided with a slot extending from front to rear, a track associated with said slot,-a slide on said track, manual means for moving said slide relative to said track, means on said slide engageable with said stamps for moving the same out of said case, and stamp engaging means within said top engageable with said support brackets and disposed on the same plane as said platform intermediate said platform and said roll of stamps whereby said stamps are fed from said roll onto said platform at the same plane irrespective of the diameter of said roll of stamps.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 including guide tracks on said platform defining the path of movement of said stamps.

3. A stamp dispensing apparatus, comprising, a case having a front and rear end, a top hingedly attached thereto, a platform in said case, a roll of stamps suitably rotatably removably mounted in the rear portion of said case, means in said case for supporting said stamps as they are unwound from said roll on the same plane as said platform, said stamps movable over said supporting means and'over said platform so they can be passed out of said case at the front, said stamps being perforated for separation, said top provided with a slot extending from-front to rear, a track associated with said slot, a slide on said track, manual means for moving said slide relative to said track, and means on said slide disposed below said slot engageable with the perforations in said stamps for moving said stamps out of said case.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

